Government and Politics (AS/A level)

Specific Entry Criteria

Grade C in English Language; a grade C in another traditional Humanities subject is desirable.

About the Subject

Politics is an increasingly popular subject at both AS and A level. If you take an active interest in political personalities and parties and want to look beyond individuals to understand the British system and analyse the reasons for the outcome of elections, AS and A level Politics is for you. To be successful you should keep up to date by reading newspapers and watching current affairs programmes on television. Some students are particularly motivated by the subject and become politically active and go on to read the subject as a straight or joint honours course.

Course Content

Year 1

In the first module, students study the relationship between people and politics. This includes an investigation into the current beliefs of the main parties, a consideration of democracy and how far it is achievable through different voting systems. The importance of pressure groups within a democracy is also examined.

In module 2, the organisation of government is investigated. During this module, students consider the nature of the constitution, where power lies, the importance of parliament and the role of the judiciary.

Year 2

This year adopts a new theme, that of political ideologies. Module 3 picks up a whole range of concepts introduced in module 1 in year 1 about Liberalism, Conservatism and Socialism and develops them to a much higher level. Students are now encouraged to think at a higher level and distinguish the tensions within each ideology.

Module 4 looks at other ideological traditions, nationalism, feminism, ecologism and multiculturalism. These ideas are all increasingly relevant to British political life and are the source of interesting controversies and debates.

The different ideologies and their subdivisions are considered looking at the tensions created within specific political traditions. For example we may look at neo-liberalism and neo-conservatism within traditional conservatism.

Assessment

All modules are assessed through examination. Module 2 will be assessed in January of the first year, with Module 1 in the summer; this module includes stimulus material. In year 2, Module 3 will be assessed in January and Module 4 in the summer.